Birthday freebies for kids on LI
Birthday freebies for kids around Long Island. Credit: iStock
When you're a kid, your birthday is the most special day of the year. You are showered with gifts and love and made to feel like a little queen or king for the day. There are also many celebrations with family, friends and even in school.
But if a child's birthday falls on a different day than his or her party, there are many things parents can do to help make it an extra special day -- for free.
Ella Tuomey of Old Bethpage experienced one of these special treats on her recent 7th birthday. "We had her party at The Candy Store in Albertson, and Ella was so excited to receive her free bag of candy," says Rachel Tuomey, Ella's mother. "She's already asking to go back for her birthday next year!"
Children receive free candy at The Candy Store, whether they celebrate their birthday there or just stop in that day. "It not only makes their day a little more special, but it also shows our appreciation of the business we receive from the community throughout the year," says owner Stephanie Bangel.
Here are 17 places on Long Island to help make your child's birthday a little sweeter -- some, you just pop in; others, you register for on a national website. (If you have privacy concerns, check the site's policy.)
FREE SWEET AND SAVORY TREATS
AGES 12 and under
WHERE Bay Shore, Carle Place, East Northport, Huntington Station, Lake Grove, Manhasset, Massapequa, New Hyde Park
INFO kids.barnesandnoble.com/kidsclub
Sign up for the free Kids' Club and enter your child's birthday. You'll receive an email coupon for a free cupcake from the Barnes & Noble café on your child's birthday. You'll also receive a free digital book created by your child on Tikatok.com.
BASKIN-ROBBINS
AGES All
WHERE Click on "Find A Store" to locate one in your area
INFO baskinrobbins.com
Join the Birthday Club and your child will receive a 2.5-ounce scoop of their favorite ice-cream. Keep an eye out for an email about five days before your child's special day; you'll also receive a discount on a birthday cake.
BENIHANA
AGES 12 and under
Hibachi is a fun experience for the whole family, so sign your kids up for the Kabuki Kids Club. Fill out the form on the website with your child's information to receive a postcard with a special treat. During the birthday month, present the card so your child can choose a free souvenir mug with the purchase of any kid's meal.
BOSTON MARKET
AGES 12 and under
WHERE Search for the 15 Long Island locations on the website.
INFO Bostonmarket.com
Sign your kids up for the VIP club and receive a birthday coupon for a free kid's meal, drink and dessert.
CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN
AGES 10 and under
WHERE Lake Grove, Huntington Station, Westbury
INFO cpk.com, click on kids' photo
Add your children to the CPKids Birthday Club and they can enjoy a free CPKids meal during their birthday month. You'll receive an email coupon.
FRIENDLY'S
AGES 12 and under
WHERE Enter ZIP code on the site to find a Friendly's in Nassau or Suffolk.
INFO friendlys.com
Enjoy a free kid's meal with an adult purchase when you join the BFF Club.
IHOP
AGES All
WHERE Click on "locations" to find an IHOP near you.
INFO ihop.com
Free meals to kids (and adults) on their birthdays. Parents need to register ahead of time with IHOP's Pancake Revolution.
RED ROBIN
AGES All
WHERE 125 Old Country Rd., Carle Place
INFO redrobin.com/eclub
Join the eclub and receive a free burger on your birthday.
SONIC
AGES All
WHERE 1380 Deer Park Ave., North Babylon
INFO sonicdrivein.com
Sign up for the birthday club and your child will receive a free Wacky Pack Kids' Meal on their birthday.
GAMES, TOYS AND MORE
BALDWIN BOWL
AGES 6 and up
WHERE 2407 Grand Ave., Baldwin
INFO 516-223-8980; baldwinbowl.com
Strike it big on your kid's birthday: You and the birthday child can bowl one free game on his or her special day. Shoe rental is not included; please bring a copy of this article.
BOOMERS! FAMILY FUN CENTER
AGES 14 and under
WHERE 655 Long Island Ave., Medford
INFO 631-475-1771; boomersparks.com/site/medford
This amusement center offers free play on your child's birthday. Enjoy unlimited rides, go-karts and mini-golf. If your child's birthday falls on a school day, you can enjoy the birthday freebies on the following weekend. During the winter months (November to March), your child will receive a gift certificate to come back when they open rides and mini-golf in the spring. Bring a copy of your child's birth certificate; they say they'll just take a peek.
BOUNCERS AND SLYDOS
AGES 5 and under
WHERE 1835 New Highway, Farmingdale
INFO 631-752-2324; bouncersandslydos.com
Enjoy free open play for the birthday child with more than 10 indoor inflatables and slides on your kid's birthday. Monday through Friday; choose either the 10 a.m. to noon or noon to 2 p.m. session.
LE PLAY CAFÉ
AGES All
WHERE 2465 Merrick Rd., Bellmore
INFO 516-308-7053; leplaycafe.com
Take your birthday child to this large indoor playground featuring a play area with a performance stage, marketplace and building area, and age-appropriate toys. The birthday child will receive half-price admission for one open play ($6), a balloon and a little gift from the Le Play Café treasure chest (things like stickers, temporary tattoos, and more).
PAINT A PIECE POTTERY
AGES All
WHERE 6126 Jericho Tpke., Commack
INFO 631-486-6969; paintapiecepottery.com
If you head to Paint A Piece on your child's birthday, you'll be greeted with balloons on the table; plus, the birthday child will receive a 4-by-4-inch tile to paint and a small gift to have as a memory of his or her special day.
THE CHILDREN'S SAFARI
AGES 12 and under
WHERE 6 Rockaway Ave., Valley Stream
INFO 516-872-2600; thechildrenssafari.com
With one-time membership fee ($35; expires when child is 12), your child will have free admission during his or her birthday month to The Children's Safari. Here you'll find an 8,000- plus-square-foot facility with arcade games, two play areas, a sand pit and a mini-rock climbing unit with slides and tunnels.
TOYS R US
AGES 10 and under
WHERE Check the store locator section on the website to find a store in your area.
INFO birthdaysrus.com
Join Geoffrey's Birthday Club and your child will receive a bounty of birthday freebies. Each year Toys R Us will mail out a birthday greeting card and a special gift, plus a birthday phone call from Geoffrey (if you choose this option). Bring your child into the store and he or she will get a birthday crown, a Geoffrey balloon and an in-store announcement letting everyone know it's his or her special day.
WOOD KINGDOM
AGES Preschool
WHERE 111 Milbar Blvd., Farmingdale
INFO 631-845-3804; woodkingdomwest.com
Enjoy free open play admission to this giant indoor playground with inflatables and more for the birthday child. Open play is available typically from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (hours may vary) Monday through Friday.
